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kathydavie's review
4.0
Seventh and last in the Black Ops, Inc. romantic suspense series. The couple focus is on Mean Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins.
My Take
With the new characters who have been joining BOI, and Gerard bringing them all back to be based in the States, I had hoped that Gerard was planning to continue the series. Now, I'll have to hope that she's planning a spin-off. I don't wanna lose them!
I've so enjoyed the contrasts of these men who are tough and hard when necessary and soft and gentle when it's not. They've had their individual stories and back histories, but the common thread of loyalty and honor has remained the same. Which is what confuses me as to why Joe doesn't think he can even mention his discoveries to the rest. They've always had each other's backs, and this last story kind of irks me for Joe ignoring that. I suppose in some ways that Joe believes he's doing the right thing because the others are married, some with children. But if that's true then shouldn't he be trying to talk them out of being active at all?
Ooh boy, that last bit out the door was just cruel. Although, Joe does pay it back one thousand times over in the Freetown jail. Don't think that Gerard is dramatizing this either. I lived in Sierra Leone for two years. She ain't kidding when she says they don't hold life dear.
Well, I do have to agree with Bangura on one thing: men who will destroy their own side for gain have no business looking down on others who do the same. Nor should the country who sends men like that pretend to be superior.
That Suah...he is ready for anything and between him and Stephanie, they are armed for bear, er, monkey. And it just blows Joe's mind. I do adore Suah. He's so reluctant about the whole thing and so dismissive of anything and everything. Then there's that almost last page...you'll cry and laugh. All at the same time.
The Story
Joe is determined to break it off with Steph. He's not likely to be coming back and he doesn't want her mourning him. Now he needs to find the proof that it wasn't faulty intel. What Joe doesn't realize is that Bryan wasn't the last of the innocents targeted.
It's a satellite image of an unidentified man, arrested in Sierra Leone, that spurs Stephanie into action. And only Stephanie. The BOIs can't help on this one.
On a seemingly separate note, the secretary of state will be stepping down, and the president has a short list of people he's considering to replace him. Ann Tompkins is one of those names as is Joe's target.
Meanwhile, Steph knows there's no future with this man. But she owes him.
The Characters
Stephanie Tompkins works for the NSA and she's been in love with Joe since Feel the Heat 4. Bryan Tompkins, her brother, was killed in an operation in Sierra Leone. The last one before their multi-branch unit, Task Force Mercy, was officially pulled out. Just before Captain Nate Black quit the military and formed Black Ops, Inc. Robert and Ann Tompkins, Bry's parents, took the BOIs into their hearts and they have been family since Bryan's funeral.
Mean Joe Green is the last unmarried BOI (from the original cast) and former CIA. Bobby is the name of his baggage. His baby brother.
Bry, Gabe Jones (married to Jenna and they just had little Ali Lynn two months ago; Show No Mercy), and Sam Lang (married to a pregnant-again Abbie; Take No Prisoners) were Delta; Rafe Mendoza had been a Ranger (married to B.J., who goes into labor with Selena Rossella Janine; (Feel the Heat); Luke Colter was a Navy Seal (married to the now-pregnant Valentina; With No Remorse); Johnny Reed was a Force Recon Marine (married to the newly-pregnant Crystal; Whisper No Lies); Nate was a U.S. Marine (married to Dr. Juliana Flores); and, Wyatt Savage (married to Sophie; Risk No Secrets) had been CIA along with Joe.
Rhonda Burns is a co-worker and friend of Steph's. Mike "Primetime" Brown has recently joined up with the BOIs as a pilot. Ty is the little brother he taps to help him with the flight to Sierra Leone and Minnesota. Jess runs a convenience store in Minnesota.
Retired general, current Arizona state representative, and the liaison between the U.S. and the United West African Nations Greer Dalmage is an ambitious man heading out to Sierra Leone. A local resource with power for Stephanie.
A very stiff and proud Suah Korama is fifteen now, one of the former boy soldiers stolen from their homes to serve in Augustine Sesay's army. He feels a debt to Joe Green for saving him in With No Remorse, and he is determined to pay that debt off. Dr. Bala Sankoh helps start the healing process on Joe. Bekah is a friend of Suah's; another boy soldier.
The brutal Lieutenant Saidu Bangura is in charge of the the prisoner. A very handy position for bribes. Carl Wilson, Simpson, Duvall, Janikowski, and Benson are the troubleshooters who go after anyone who gets in the way.
Black Ops, Inc. is a private paramilitary organization based in Buenos Aires that works exclusively for Uncle Sam.
The Cover
The cover has a cold feel to it with the bruised looking sky and Mean Joe Green in camo pants, facing away from us, shirtless with his ribbon tattoo snaking up his spine. Even though he's half-naked and armed only with a gun, there's a sense of armed lethality about him. The text for the title and the author's name is in gold with her last name flipped so that the letters are surrounded by gold.
The title could refer to Joe being the last one of the original crew who's unmarried, or it could refer to his belief that he's the Last Man Standing who can handle the truth he has discovered.
My Take
With the new characters who have been joining BOI, and Gerard bringing them all back to be based in the States, I had hoped that Gerard was planning to continue the series. Now, I'll have to hope that she's planning a spin-off. I don't wanna lose them!
I've so enjoyed the contrasts of these men who are tough and hard when necessary and soft and gentle when it's not. They've had their individual stories and back histories, but the common thread of loyalty and honor has remained the same. Which is what confuses me as to why Joe doesn't think he can even mention his discoveries to the rest. They've always had each other's backs, and this last story kind of irks me for Joe ignoring that. I suppose in some ways that Joe believes he's doing the right thing because the others are married, some with children. But if that's true then shouldn't he be trying to talk them out of being active at all?
Ooh boy, that last bit out the door was just cruel. Although, Joe does pay it back one thousand times over in the Freetown jail. Don't think that Gerard is dramatizing this either. I lived in Sierra Leone for two years. She ain't kidding when she says they don't hold life dear.
Well, I do have to agree with Bangura on one thing: men who will destroy their own side for gain have no business looking down on others who do the same. Nor should the country who sends men like that pretend to be superior.
That Suah...he is ready for anything and between him and Stephanie, they are armed for bear, er, monkey. And it just blows Joe's mind. I do adore Suah. He's so reluctant about the whole thing and so dismissive of anything and everything. Then there's that almost last page...you'll cry and laugh. All at the same time.
The Story
Joe is determined to break it off with Steph. He's not likely to be coming back and he doesn't want her mourning him. Now he needs to find the proof that it wasn't faulty intel. What Joe doesn't realize is that Bryan wasn't the last of the innocents targeted.
It's a satellite image of an unidentified man, arrested in Sierra Leone, that spurs Stephanie into action. And only Stephanie. The BOIs can't help on this one.
On a seemingly separate note, the secretary of state will be stepping down, and the president has a short list of people he's considering to replace him. Ann Tompkins is one of those names as is Joe's target.
Meanwhile, Steph knows there's no future with this man. But she owes him.
The Characters
Stephanie Tompkins works for the NSA and she's been in love with Joe since Feel the Heat 4. Bryan Tompkins, her brother, was killed in an operation in Sierra Leone. The last one before their multi-branch unit, Task Force Mercy, was officially pulled out. Just before Captain Nate Black quit the military and formed Black Ops, Inc. Robert and Ann Tompkins, Bry's parents, took the BOIs into their hearts and they have been family since Bryan's funeral.
Mean Joe Green is the last unmarried BOI (from the original cast) and former CIA. Bobby is the name of his baggage. His baby brother.
Bry, Gabe Jones (married to Jenna and they just had little Ali Lynn two months ago; Show No Mercy), and Sam Lang (married to a pregnant-again Abbie; Take No Prisoners) were Delta; Rafe Mendoza had been a Ranger (married to B.J., who goes into labor with Selena Rossella Janine; (Feel the Heat); Luke Colter was a Navy Seal (married to the now-pregnant Valentina; With No Remorse); Johnny Reed was a Force Recon Marine (married to the newly-pregnant Crystal; Whisper No Lies); Nate was a U.S. Marine (married to Dr. Juliana Flores); and, Wyatt Savage (married to Sophie; Risk No Secrets) had been CIA along with Joe.
Rhonda Burns is a co-worker and friend of Steph's. Mike "Primetime" Brown has recently joined up with the BOIs as a pilot. Ty is the little brother he taps to help him with the flight to Sierra Leone and Minnesota. Jess runs a convenience store in Minnesota.
Retired general, current Arizona state representative, and the liaison between the U.S. and the United West African Nations Greer Dalmage is an ambitious man heading out to Sierra Leone. A local resource with power for Stephanie.
A very stiff and proud Suah Korama is fifteen now, one of the former boy soldiers stolen from their homes to serve in Augustine Sesay's army. He feels a debt to Joe Green for saving him in With No Remorse, and he is determined to pay that debt off. Dr. Bala Sankoh helps start the healing process on Joe. Bekah is a friend of Suah's; another boy soldier.
The brutal Lieutenant Saidu Bangura is in charge of the the prisoner. A very handy position for bribes. Carl Wilson, Simpson, Duvall, Janikowski, and Benson are the troubleshooters who go after anyone who gets in the way.
Black Ops, Inc. is a private paramilitary organization based in Buenos Aires that works exclusively for Uncle Sam.
The Cover
The cover has a cold feel to it with the bruised looking sky and Mean Joe Green in camo pants, facing away from us, shirtless with his ribbon tattoo snaking up his spine. Even though he's half-naked and armed only with a gun, there's a sense of armed lethality about him. The text for the title and the author's name is in gold with her last name flipped so that the letters are surrounded by gold.
The title could refer to Joe being the last one of the original crew who's unmarried, or it could refer to his belief that he's the Last Man Standing who can handle the truth he has discovered.
romancejunkie1025's review
4.0
An awesome ending to a great series.
Steph and Joe of course have a back story so the heat and passion starts right up. Then when things go to hell Steph steps up to save her man. The adventure and intrigue was exciting as well as fast paced. Down time between the action is filled with anxiety and stress between the H/H.
All the loose ends were tied up in a nice little bow, everyone has gotten their HEA and we have so much potential for the new spin off series starting with Primetime's story. Can't wait.
Steph and Joe of course have a back story so the heat and passion starts right up. Then when things go to hell Steph steps up to save her man. The adventure and intrigue was exciting as well as fast paced. Down time between the action is filled with anxiety and stress between the H/H.
All the loose ends were tied up in a nice little bow, everyone has gotten their HEA and we have so much potential for the new spin off series starting with Primetime's story. Can't wait.
swathi_narasimhan's review
4.0
Ok ! so this is my first Cindy Gerrard book and I didn't realize until the last that i had read the last book of the series first.
Its completely action packed with the story galloping each page! i loved every single character and their courage to resurrect stronger than ever. Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins will remain one of my favourite couple forever.
This book had everything i was looking for - action, romance, emotions and what not.
When i was doing the epoilogue, i saw there are so many other characters in the Black Ops team and each one of them had a dedicated book for themselves. I am looking out for it no matter what!
She loves babies and he loves her !
Great book and i was into it from Page 1 when Joe Green was as good as dead!
Its completely action packed with the story galloping each page! i loved every single character and their courage to resurrect stronger than ever. Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins will remain one of my favourite couple forever.
This book had everything i was looking for - action, romance, emotions and what not.
When i was doing the epoilogue, i saw there are so many other characters in the Black Ops team and each one of them had a dedicated book for themselves. I am looking out for it no matter what!
She loves babies and he loves her !
Great book and i was into it from Page 1 when Joe Green was as good as dead!
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
BOI operative Joe Green and NSA cryptologist Stephanie Tompkins have been in a committed relationship now for two years. However, for some time, Joe has been distancing himself from not only her but his BOI teammates. Now he’s disappeared into Sierra Leone, searching for evidence to confirm the identity of the person he believes responsible for the ambush on the Task Force Mercy team 15-years ago. Stephanie’s brother, Bryan, was killed in that skirmish so Joe has added incentive to avenge his death.
We saw this coming in the last story so I was prepared for a tough and exciting experience and that I got! It was emotionally draining on several fronts, including Joe’s stubbornness in trying to protect Stephanie, who quite frankly didn’t need it. One of the best aspects of this book was her emergence as a force to be reckoned with. She comes from strong stock but in this story, she comes into her own. Suffice it to say, Stephanie is the true hero here, using her head every step of the way. She was just great.
I know there is a really short novella that follows but this is the true ending for the series and it was the best way to conclude. Joe was the last man standing on the team who hadn’t found his center and he was given the perfect farewell. He deserves someone like Stephanie and she him. I didn’t understand their pairing initially but got how well suited they are. I loved this series and this was a great ending. However, it also set up the spin off series, One-Eyed Jacks nicely and we haven’t seen the last of this group.
We saw this coming in the last story so I was prepared for a tough and exciting experience and that I got! It was emotionally draining on several fronts, including Joe’s stubbornness in trying to protect Stephanie, who quite frankly didn’t need it. One of the best aspects of this book was her emergence as a force to be reckoned with. She comes from strong stock but in this story, she comes into her own. Suffice it to say, Stephanie is the true hero here, using her head every step of the way. She was just great.
I know there is a really short novella that follows but this is the true ending for the series and it was the best way to conclude. Joe was the last man standing on the team who hadn’t found his center and he was given the perfect farewell. He deserves someone like Stephanie and she him. I didn’t understand their pairing initially but got how well suited they are. I loved this series and this was a great ending. However, it also set up the spin off series, One-Eyed Jacks nicely and we haven’t seen the last of this group.
stephanywrites's review
5.0
This is the final book in Gerard’s Black Ops, Inc. series, and it’s such a good one. Earlier in the series, quiet and unassuming Joe and Stephanie, whose brother died a few years ago on an op that Joe and the rest of the Black Ops team were on, started dating. It was a secondary plot in another book, and so I thought their love story was complete. Apparently not, because Joe is back with his very own book where he tries to avenge Stephanie’s brother’s death. He winds up in a prison in Sierra Leone, and when Stephanie stumbles across a photo of him in a newspaper, she knows she has to go there to rescue him. What I loved about this novel so much is that Stephanie got to be the badass rescuer, not Joe. Of course, she was terrified, but what was more terrifying was living without Joe. And so she dug deep and found her inner badass. It’s a terrific novel, so damn well written, and a perfect ending to this incredible series.
caffeinatedfae's review
5.0
This was such a great novel. I am truly devastated that this is the last novel in the series. The characters in these novels are inspiring and devastatingly lovable.
Cindy Gerard truly makes you feel emotions for each of her characters. Last Man Standing was yet another amazing novel that made me laugh, cry, and want to throw the book at points.
I do wish that more of the BOI's were in this novel but I felt like it wrapped up very nicely. Now I have to find another series that will fulfill my want for attractive Military men. Hmph!
Cindy Gerard truly makes you feel emotions for each of her characters. Last Man Standing was yet another amazing novel that made me laugh, cry, and want to throw the book at points.
I do wish that more of the BOI's were in this novel but I felt like it wrapped up very nicely. Now I have to find another series that will fulfill my want for attractive Military men. Hmph!
bunny_watson's review
3.0
Good romantic suspense novel featuring Black Ops, Inc. Joe Green goes vigilante to investigate the death of his brother-in-arms (and brother of his lover Stephanie), and ends up in a prison in Sierra Leone. The only one who can save him is Stephanie, who has to dig deep to find her inner hero. What makes this novel unique is the Sierra Leone setting and a supporting character who was a child soldier. If you like Suzanne Brockman's books, you would enjoy the Black Ops series.